Consumers provide some relief for retailers
NEW YORK - Americans shopped hesitantly in May, giving retailers some relief from a dismal showing in April but still raising questions about how strong consumer spending will be in the months ahead.

Trade deficit improving
WASHINGTON - The trade deficit dropped sharply in April as continued strong overseas demand pushed American exports to an all-time high.

A new spin in promotion
Jeremy White was holding a sign advertising $5 pizza deals at Little Caesars in North Hollywood when two young men stopped their white pickup truck.

The Ulta-mate
It's a wonderland for beauty buffs. Ulta mixes high-priced cosmetics and skin-care lines with drugstore varieties and a little something for everyone.

Vacation Bible School
God's Marvelous Works Bible Adventure Day will be from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today at Comanche Trail Church of Christ, 2700 S.E. 34th Ave.

Topeka Christians, Muslims find common ground
TOPEKA, Kan. - Youths from a conservative Christian church and a Muslim center are finding common ground and increased cultural and religious understanding through a joint project in which they are sponsoring educations for two young Middle East children.

Clinton: Faith got her beyond the infidelities
In a rare public discussion of her husband's infidelity, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton said earlier this week that she probably could not have gotten through her marital troubles without relying on her faith in God.

Heloise: Create a bird sanctuary
Dear Readers: Do you want to turn your backyard into a bird sanctuary? With a little effort and a lot of love, before long your yard could be attracting a wide variety of birds.

Dear Abby: Woman wants dad to be around for future child
Dear Abby: I am 27 and thinking about the future. After much consideration, I have decided that unless I have a very strong relationship in place by the time I am 30, I plan on going to a sperm bank and having a child on my own.

Scott, Jacobson share lead
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The TPC Southwind and gusty wind gave anyone wanting a tune-up for next week's U.S. Open a grinding preview Thursday.

Study: Vitamin D shows promise
OMAHA, Neb. - Building hope for one pill to prevent many cancers, vitamin D cut the risk of several types of cancer by 60 percent overall for older women in the most rigorous study yet.

Divers begin removing tires
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - It took only days to create what was touted as the world's largest artificial reef in 1972, when a well-intentioned group dumped hundreds of thousands of old tires into the ocean.

Falcon project shows results
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Biologists who have been working for years to reintroduce the endangered northern aplomado falcon to its historic range across the Southwest said Thursday they have spotted baby birds in a trio of nests in southern New Mexico and West Texas.

Raiders aim high
The Randall baseball team will face its toughest challenge of the season tonight in the biggest game in school history when it battles Class 4A's No. 1-ranked team, Corpus Christi Moody.

New Deal falls in bid to win 1A state crown
ROUND ROCK - Weldon Stallcup made a diving catch on the warning track with two runners on base and two outs in the seventh inning as Archer City won the UIL Class 1A state title Thursday with a 6-2 victory over New Deal.

Poteet rolls Stings
ROUND ROCK - J.T. Files hit a grand slam in the third inning to lift Mesquite Poteet to a 6-3 win over Texas City on Friday in a Class 4A semifinal game.

Appeal of suspension allows Berkman to play
Houston Astros first baseman Lance Berkman was suspended for two games and was fined an undisclosed sum Friday, three days after he was ejected against Colorado and tossed his batting glove and equipment bag onto the field.

'Wildandcrazy' trainer seeks upset
NEW YORK - It will be tough to tell who's more comfortable at the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, trainer Bill Kaplan or his horse, Imawildandcrazyguy.

It's Federer vs. Nadal - again
PARIS - Roger Federer watched one more shot by one more opponent miss its mark, then released a guttural yell and shook his fist, a tad relieved to have won when he was close to his worst.

Oklahoma schools step into draft spotlight
OKLAHOMA CITY - Despite their perennial success, the baseball programs at Oral Roberts and Oklahoma City University sometimes are overlooked by the casual fan in Oklahoma.

Kurt Busch punished for two race incidents
LONG POND, Pa. - Kurt Busch was docked 100 Nextel Cup Series points Friday, was fined $100,000 and was placed on probation until Dec. 31 for reckless driving and endangering a crew member on pit road.

Law firm: We want our money
Unpaid legal bills that have plagued Potter County and brought into question the authority of the county auditor and the Potter County Commissioners Court are headed for court.

State approves robotics program
About 20 Highland Park High School juniors and seniors will spend next school year learning how to operate and program robots.

Falcon project shows results
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Biologists who have been working for years to reintroduce the endangered northern aplomado falcon to its historic range across the Southwest said Thursday they have spotted baby birds in a trio of nests in southern New Mexico and West Texas.

Study: Vitamin D shows promise
OMAHA, Neb. - Building hope for one pill to prevent many cancers, vitamin D cut the risk of several types of cancer by 60 percent overall for older women in the most rigorous study yet.

Divers begin removing tires
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - It took only days to create what was touted as the world's largest artificial reef in 1972, when a well-intentioned group dumped hundreds of thousands of old tires into the ocean.